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Common Bulldog Health Issues. . .
The best medical advice anyone can give you is, "Find a veterinarian who knows and likes Bulldogs." This is one of the reasons it's a good idea to join your local Bulldog Club. The members can usually refer you to a veterinarian who is familiar with Bulldogs and who likes them.
The best proactive course is to know your Bulldog. Check the entire dog daily. Know if he isn't eating, if he isn't playing, if he doesn't seem quite right. There are several minor ailments you can treat at home. Remember that if a home remedy doesn't cure the problem in two days, take the dog to the veterinarian. Also remember that there are medical condition which cannot wait the two days. When in doubt which it is, err on the side of safety for your dog.
Administering pills and capsules: Open the dog's mouth, push the pill or capsule as far down his throat as possible, then hold his mouth shut and stroke his throat until he swallows. Or wrap the pill or capsule in a bit of ground beef or cheese and feed it to the dog.
Prevention is KEY!! Not all issues can be prevented. But regular vet care can easily and cost effectively prevent many issues from occurring or becoming worse.
Hot Spots
These are red, irritated, weeping, itchy spots. They can be caused by allergy, insect bites, or flea allergy dermatitis. Clean the area thoroughly. You can wash with shampoo, rinse and dry, or clean with Baby Wipes with lanolin and aloe.
Interdigital Cysts
This problem appears as a red swelling that pops up between the dogs toes. First examine the paw carefully, especially the underside between the pads to be sure there is no foreign matter (a thorn or such). If there is, take it out. Clean the area. Remedies include: (I) Soaking the paw in warm water and Epsom Salts, dry and rub in Panalog, or (2) Use Preparation H, or (3) Apply plain Lysterine on the paw. With all these treatments, it's best to continue the treatment for two to three days after the cyst is gone.
Entropion
Entropion is an uncomfortable condition where the eyelashes constantly rub against the cornea. When it occurs in both eyes, it is called as "bilateral entropion". Treatment for Entropion usually depends on the complications. Mild cases don't usually need treatment however the presence of conjunctivitis may require treatment. Severe cases of Entropion may need surgical intervention.
Cherry Eye
The gland which normally resides under the lower eye lid at the inside corner of the eye will sometimes "pop" out. This is not as horrible as it appears to be and does not require emergency treatment. It does require treatment at the earliest possible time by a veterinarian recommended for Cherry Eye. The quicker the dog gets treatment the better the chance for successful treatment without removing the gland. Removal of the gland often results in a "dry" eye which will require ointment the rest of the dog's life.
Tail Issues
Some Bulldog's have their tail set in a pocket. If yours does you will need to make a special effort to keep that pocket clean and dry. Wipe it out frequently. Be sure to dry it thoroughly and apply an ointment such as Panalog or a drying powder. Unless the area is kept clean and dry, an infection can result. Severe cases require surgery to remove the infection and whatever remains of the tail.
Heartworms
Heartworms are common in dogs throughout the United States. They are among the most damaging parasites in dogs but they are almost 100 percent preventable. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and, once mature, they live in the heart and large blood vessels of the lungs. Adult heartworms can measure over one foot in length.
The heartworm larvae deposited by the feeding mosquito eventually migrate to the chambers of the heart or into the vessels of the lungs. Once in the heart, the worms can affect blood flow throughout the body. Heartworm infection can affect many different organs of the dog-heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver, for example-so symptoms may be varied. The most common treatments are a series of shots to kill the worms and crate rest for 30-45 days. Prevention costs $100 per year and treatment costs $700-$1,000 plus the trauma on the dog.
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June 11, 2016 --
